Sigiriya, in central Sri Lanka, is an ancient rock fortress and one of the country’s most iconic archaeological sites. Rising nearly 200 meters from the surrounding plains, the massive granite column is crowned by the ruins of a royal palace built in the 5th century CE by King Kasyapa.

Malacca, also known as Melaka, sits along Malaysia’s west coast and is one of Southeast Asia’s most historically layered cities.

Steeped in history, Canterbury, England is a must-visit destination for lovers of medieval charm and religious significance. The centerpiece of this historic city is Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been a place of Christian worship since the 6th century. As the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, it is one of the most important religious buildings in England.

While an earthquake in 1972 left few buildings intact in downtown Managua, new areas are building up. Managua has excellent restaurants, nice hotels, and is a good base for day tours into the countryside.

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, sits on the Anatolian plateau and reflects the country’s layered history more quietly than Istanbul, yet with equal depth. Once an important settlement for the Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, and Byzantines, Ankara rose to national prominence in the 20th century when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk chose it as the heart of the modern Turkish Republic. Today, it functions as Turkey’s political center while preserving traces of its ancient and Ottoman past.